Actually Dewey created his cataloging system as a way to manage every book in a library, fiction and non-fiction. If you take a cataloging course you’ll find that one can actually apply a myriad a Dewey numbers to any given item based on the various subjects and topics in the book. The single number that a book winds up being labeled with is up to the discretion of the cataloger based on the needs of the library and patron base.

Most libraries choose to only catalog he non-fiction collection under the Dewey system but if you go to your library you will still find plenty of fiction there anyway. Poetry and classic literature is often shelved there for example.

As far as changes to the system rendering my tattoo invalid, my view is that the system can change quite a bit but most libraries don’t have the time or funding to re-label and re-catalog their whole collection because of it. My tattoo will always be relevant to the time I got it: when I finished my master’s degree.

You don’t have to love it as much as I (still) do, but if you think I’m going to regret it or have It removed, I kindly disagree. :)

I admire people that are passionate about their lives, however tattooing a DD# hardly shows passion.
Original idea, positively awesome, excuse me while I roll on the floor laughing.
Inspiring awe: must have a dull life.
Original: tattooing numbers on people goes back a long way.